General Hot Tub Maintenance – Keep your Hot Tub Running Smoothly

Your hot tub is a major investment and should be cared for properly so that is remains efficient and clean. With the proper care and maintenance, your hot tub can provide you with many years of enjoyment.

The following tips will help keep your spa running smoothly:

• Always refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on cleaning and maintenance for your particular spa.
• Never use regular household cleaners in your spa, as they contain either soap or ammonia, both of which are bad for your water’s chemistry. Not only that, but the soap residue from household cleaners can turn your hot tub into a foaming, bubbling mess!
• Same goes for beauty care lotions and potions, such as hairspray, styling gels, mousse, deodorant, suntan lotion and makeup, all of which can cloud the water and clog the filter.
• Residual detergent on bathing suits may also cloud the water. Consider running your bathing suits through an extra rinse cycle in the washing machine to eliminate this problem.
• Floating, oil-absorbing sponges work well at absorbing lotions, detergents and hair care products from the water before going into the filter. Remember to clean and replace your sponges periodically, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Close the spa’s air control valves when the hot tub is not being used. The air control valves let cold air into the hot tub, thereby increasing heating costs. They may also allow debris and algae spores to enter the hot tub, thereby requiring the use of more chemicals to correct the pH of the water.
• Make sure the filter cartridge is clean and inserted properly into the filter compartment. It is usually recommended that you clean your filter cartridges at least a month, and replace them after one to two years, or when they show signs of wear.
• Perhaps one of the most important maintenance checks is to test your spa water at least once a week, and especially after you add new water. If the pH level is too high, your eyes will burn, your skin will dry out and your bathing suit will deteriorate. In addition, bacteria will thrive and multiply if your pH level is off, thereby exposing yourself and your family to potentially harmful bacteria.
• If you use a liquid test kit to check your hot tub water’s pH levels, remember to clean it after each use. Also, for best results obtain your water samples from at least 12 inches below the surface.
• If you use test strips, check the expiration date, as old strips will not properly work.
• A simple garden hose is a great way to remove debris from the bottom of your hot tub. Use the garden hose as a vacuum to quickly eliminate any debris.
• Consider having your hot tub serviced every year by a qualified hot tub professional. He or she will check all components of your spa, including the jets, the blowers and the motor, and ensure that they are efficiently and properly operating.